Goyang-si, Changneungcheon Integrated Stream Project Progressing Smoothly in Phases

Revealing the Step-by-Step Project Plan for Changneungcheon through 'National River Promotion' and 'Establishment of Integrated River Master Plan'
Phase 1 Downstream Drainage Impact Area Improvement Project Scheduled to Start Next Year

Goyang Special City, Gyeonggi Province (Mayor Lee Dong-hwan) announced on the 24th that it is properly advancing the integrated development of Changneungcheon, the city's representative stream, through the promotion of Changneungcheon’s elevation to a national river and the phased integrated river project for Changneungcheon.

Basic Plan Map of Changneungcheon Integrated Stream in Goyang City. Provided by Goyang Special City.

Due to changes in the Ministry of Environment’s policy direction and issues related to the national financial burden, the direction of the 'region-customized integrated river project' has shifted to flood control-centered projects. In the future, 527.8 billion KRW will be invested in 18 national rivers, and among the four local rivers selected together, Changneungcheon is the only one to receive national treasury support for the national river drainage impact section and will be promoted as a phased project.

Changneungcheon, which represents Goyang City and stretches a total of 18.42 km, was finally selected as one of the 22 leading projects in the region-customized integrated river competition hosted by the Ministry of Environment in December 2022.

The project cost for the Changneungcheon integrated river project was initially 328.7 billion KRW (including 99.9 billion KRW for linked projects) based on the application, but in the basic conceptual study conducted by the Ministry of Environment, completed last September, it increased by 12.6 billion KRW to 341.3 billion KRW (including 99.2 billion KRW for linked projects), recognizing the scale and economic feasibility of the project.

At the 'Changneungcheon Integrated River Project Basic Plan Final Report Meeting' held on November 18 at KINTEX Exhibition Hall 1, a roadmap was announced to divide the Changneungcheon integrated river project into four zones and develop it in three stages.

Furthermore, since it fully meets the criteria for elevation to a national river as stipulated in the River Act, the city plans to further secure project momentum through the Ministry of Environment’s promotion of national river elevation.

The first phase of the project, scheduled for completion in 2027, is a 49.4 billion KRW Han River drainage impact section maintenance project promoted by the Ministry of Environment (Han River Basin Environmental Office).

This project, aimed at securing flood safety for the 3.35 km lower section of Changneungcheon, involved public hearings with stakeholders and residents in April to recognize it as a public interest project.

The second phase targets the 4.41 km² section of the Goyang Changneung District located in the midstream of Changneungcheon and is scheduled for completion in 2029. The Changneung District is a new town planned for approximately 91,000 residents, formed on both sides of Changneungcheon. Through the establishment of the integrated river basic plan, the city plans to closely cooperate with the Korea Land and Housing Corporation, the developer of the 3rd phase new town, to introduce various waterfront spaces accessible to residents of Changneung District and create a new waterfront vitality hub by forming a rich and clear stream.

The integrated river project basic plan also announced a 42.195 km marathon course creation plan, including the Changneungcheon section of the 3rd phase new town and plans to connect the disconnected Changneungcheon floodplain and walking trails. As an integrated river plan that includes the construction of waterfront facilities to improve citizen accessibility, river ecological environment improvement, and maintenance water supply plans, Goyang City will prioritize the project and proceed with phased river maintenance through local financial resource sharing with Gyeonggi Province and Eunpyeong District, Seoul.

The city holds the position that, given the changed financial conditions after the competition and the need to promote integrated maintenance of Changneungcheon, it is necessary to implement the Changneungcheon integrated river project through elevation to a national river.

A Goyang Special City official stated, “Changneungcheon meets all the requirements for elevation to a national river, including a watershed area of 50 km² and a river flow population of over 200,000, so we will actively promote its elevation to a national river.”

He added, “With the establishment of the region-customized integrated river basic plan, a foundation has been laid for national treasury subsidies and other maintenance of Changneungcheon, so we will pursue budget cooperation with Gyeonggi Province and Seoul (Eunpyeong District). We will continuously promote the maintenance of Changneungcheon that citizens can feel through additional national funding induced by elevation to a national river.”